Camera Gear Review News

I have a fresh-from-the-factory Canon PowerShot V1 in my hands, and it is time to set it up. I use the following steps to prepare a factory-initialized V1 for use.

1. Record serial number, and add camera to the insurance policy
2. Open the box, find the battery, insert it into camera, plug the camera into a USB-C cable that supports (Power Delivery), and connect the cable to a power adapter.
3. Consider downloading and installing the latest Canon imaging software to gain support for the latest camera model(s). Canon Digital Photo Pro (DPP), EOS Utility, and Lens Registration Utility are the options I install.
4. Insert a memory card (we'll format the card in a later step), and power the camera on.
5. The date, time, and time zone setup display will show at the first startup. Use the rear control dial and set button to update this information.
6. If your PowerShot V1 arrives with the wrong language selected, navigate to the second tools tab and select the second menu option on the list.
7. The camera will prompt to connect your phone running the Canon Connect App. Follow the prompts as desired.
8. Set the camera's mode to Av, Tv, or M (some modes may provide only a subset of available menu options) and press the menu button.
9. Shooting Menu, Tab 1: Image quality: Use the lens ring to set RAW to "RAW", and use the rear direction keys or dial to set JPEG to "-" (RAW image files provide the highest quality and are especially valuable for post-processing work)
10. Shooting Menu, Tab 3: Picture Style: Neutral with Sharpness = 1 (Note: the low contrast "Neutral" picture style provides a histogram that best shows the available dynamic range. I usually change the Picture Style to "Standard" in DPP after capture.)
11. Shooting Menu, Tab 4: White balance: AWB W (White) (I seldom use another white balance setting while shooting stills, though I often adjust white balance as needed during post-processing)
12. Shooting Menu, Tab 4: High ISO speed NR: Low (noise reduction is destructive to images details, so I prefer to add noise reduction sparingly during post-processing)
13. Shooting Menu, Tab 6: Image review: Review duration: 4 sec. (the Viewfinder review option is disabled by default, speeding the shooting process)
14. Shooting Menu, Tab 7: Shooting info. disp.: Screen info. settings: Edit screen 2 to show only: Basic shooting info and Electronic level; edit screen 3 to show only: Basic shooting info, Histogram, and Electronic level
15. Shooting Menu, Tab 7: Shooting info. disp.: Grid display: 3x3 (sometimes the 3x3 grid is helpful for alignment checking while not complicating the view)
16. Shooting Menu, Tab 7: Shooting info. disp.: Histogram disp: RGB, Small (show the brightness levels of each channel separately and do not let the graph to take up much space in the display as it can affect the perceived composition)
17. AF Menu, Tab 2: Subject to detect: Select Auto, People, Animals, Vehicles, or No priority as makes sense for your current shooting scenario
18. AF Menu, Tab 2: Preview AF: Disable
19. AF Menu, Tab 3: MF peaking settings: On
20. Playback Menu, Tab 4: Highlight alert: Enable
21. Set-up Menu, Tab 1: Format card (always format a memory card in-camera before using it — all data on the card will be lost)
22. Set-up Menu, Tab 1: Auto Rotate: On computer (images are properly rotated when viewed on a computer, but are always oriented to fill the LCD when viewed on the camera)
23. Set-up Menu, Tab 2: Feature guide: Disable (novices may appreciate this feature)
24. Set-up Menu, Tab 2: Beep: Disable
25. Set-up Menu, Tab 5: Power saving: Screen dimmer: Disable (I found the dimmer annoying — the LCD is as useful off as dimmed)
26. Set-up Menu, Tab 5: Power saving: Screen Off: Disable
27. Set-up Menu, Tab 5: Power saving: Auto power off: Disable (the focal length is reset when the camera powers off, highly annoying when carefully composing a scene (or test chart))
28. Set-up Menu, Tab 6: Custom shooting mode (C1-C3): Auto uodate set.: Enable (saves changes made to C modes
29. Custom Functions Menu, Tab 2: Default Erase option: [Erase] selected
30. My Menu: Add My Menu 1; Register your most-used menu options, such as Format card

I make additional menu and other setting changes based on current shooting scenarios, especially for video, but this list covers my initial camera setup process.

To copy this configuration means you intend to shoot as I do, including in RAW-only format. While this setup works optimally for me, you should adjust the camera setup to your needs.

If you can't remember your menu setup parameters, keeping an up-to-date list such as this one is a great idea. Anytime the camera is set to the factory state, such as when serviced or when acquiring an additional camera, the list will ensure all settings are quickly re-established.

More Information

Canon PowerShot V1 Review.

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Just posted: Canon PowerShot V1 Review.

Meet Canon's new flagship PowerShot camera. It wants to go everywhere with you.

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Image quality test results are now available on the Sony FE 50-150mm F2 GM Lens page.

Does this lens rival a bag full of fast primes? The image quality test results help answer that question. Create comparisons.

Compared to the Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II Lens

Compared to the Sony FE 28-70mm F2 GM Lens

Compared to the Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM Lens

Compared to the Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II Lens

Compared to the Sony FE 135mm F1.8 GM Lens

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Just posted: Canon RF-S 14-30mm F4-6.3 IS STM PZ Lens Review

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Just posted:

SCG T8 G2 Fluid Head Review
SCG StediFast HD Carbon Fiber Tripod Review

The T8 G2 and StediFast HD are an outstanding value, performing far above their cost.

The SCG T8 G2 Fluid Head is coming soon to B&H and available for order now at SCG.

Order the SCG StediFast HD Carbon Fiber Tripod from B&H.

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Just posted: Canon RF 20mm F1.4 L VCM Lens Review.

Outstanding lens. I hope to add sample pictures later.

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Image quality test results from a second lens are now available on the Canon RF 20mm F1.4 L VCM Lens page.

The first lens's performance was superb, but was it an outlier? With two lenses in the studio, an increased sample size was afforded.

The second lens vs. first lens comparison answers that question.

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Image quality and vignetting test results are now available on the Canon RF-S 14-30mm F4-6.3 IS STM PZ Lens page.

This inexpensive lens performs well for its cost. Here is a comparison to a high-end reference lens, RF 85mm F1.2 L USM, at an optimal aperture.

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Noise, image quality, vignetting, flare, and distortion test results are now available on the Canon PowerShot V1 page.

This little camera performs well.

Resolution compared to the R50 with a high-end lens.

Noise compared to the R100.

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Image quality test results are now available on the Canon RF 20mm F1.4 L VCM Lens page.

These results are great.

Compared to the Canon RF 24mm F1.4 L VCM Lens

Compared to the Canon RF 35mm F1.4 L VCM Lens

Compared to the Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art Lens

Compared to the Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G Lens

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Just posted: Sigma 16-300mm F3.5-6.7 DC OS Contemporary Lens Review

As I said before, this lens is all about convenience.

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Just posted: Sigma 300-600mm F4 DG OS Sports Lens Review.

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Image quality, vignetting, and distortion test results are now available on the Sigma 16-300mm F3.5-6.7 DC OS Contemporary Lens page.

This lens is all about convenience.

Compared to the Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens

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Image quality, vignetting, and distortion test results are now available on the Sigma 300-600mm F4 DG OS Sports Lens page.

Especially because of its low price, I was anxious to see the performance of this lens.

Compared to the Sony FE 600mm F4 GM OSS Lens

Compared to the Canon RF 600mm F4 L IS USM Lens

Compared to the Sigma 500mm F5.6 DG DN OS Sports Lens

Compared to the Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS Lens

Compared to the Sony FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS Lens

There are many slower-than-f/4 zoom lenses to compare with.

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Just posted: Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS Lens Review.

Expect this lens to become super popular among birders and other wildlife photographers.

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Just posted: Sony FE 16mm F1.8 G Lens Review.

Great performance in a tiny package with a low price.

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Physically, the Canon EOS R50 and EOS R50 V appear to be completely different, unrelated cameras. However, their names, differing by only the "V" denoting a video emphasis, suggest a strong relationship.

Image quality is one aspect these cameras share, and entry-level pricing is another. Still, the differences are vast.

Here are the R50 V advantages:

• Greater stills buffer — JPEG 140, RAW 59 vs 42, 7
• Video codec XF-HEVC S/ XF AVC-s vs. MP4
• 4K/4K Crop/ Full HD vs. 4K/ Full HD
• Addition of 119.88 fps
• Standard Intra/ Standard LGOP vs. IPB/IPB Light
• Slow and Fast movie mode
• Cinema View
• Smooth Skin Movie
• 4K Timelapse Movie
• 24-bit 4ch audio vs. 16-bit 2ch
• Tally Lamp/Recording emphasis
• 2 hr Max record time vs. 1 hr
• Movie Color Filters vs. none
• Custom Picture vs. none
• AF working range EV -5.0-20 vs. EV -4.0-20
• Metering range EV -5.0-20 (-2.5-20 for video) vs. EV -2.0-20
• UHS-II SC card support
• Register people Priority
• Detect Priority AE while AF vs. none
• False Color for Movie
• Interval timer built in vs. none
• Headphone Jack vs. none
• E3 remote jack vs. none
• Bluetooth 5.1 vs. 4.2
• Super-Speed Plus USB (USB 3.2 Gen 2) vs. Hi-Speed USB 2.0 USB Type-C
• UVC/UAC, HDMI, Camera connect, Live Switcher mobile vs none
• Smaller — 4.7 x 2.9 x 1.8" vs. 4.58 x 3.37 x 2.71" (119.3 x 73.7 x 45.2mm vs. 116.3 x 85.5 x 68.8mm)
• Modestly lower list price (though discounting may impact street price and reverse this advantage)

Special thanks to Canon USA's Drew MacCallum for providing most of this rather long list.

Here are the R50 advantages:

• Has an EVF
• 1.62 million dot LCD vs. 1.04
• Built-in flash

The controls and control layout are considerably different between the two camera models, including the mode dial optimized for stills or video, and a zoom lever on the R50 V.

The generalized recommendation comes back to the "V". Those primarily interested in capturing video will want the R50 V, and those focusing on stills may appreciate the R50's EVF over the V's advantages.

Image quality, vignetting, flare, and distortion test results are now available on the Sony FE 16mm F1.8 G Lens page.

Here are some comparisons:

Compared to the Sony FE 14mm F1.8 GM Lens

Compared to the Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G Lens

Compared to the Sony FE 24mm F1.4 GM Lens

Compared to the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II Lens

Compared to the Canon RF 16mm F2.8 STM Lens

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Expectations, an MTF comparison, and specifications are now available on the Canon RF 20mm F1.4 L VCM Lens page.

I'm in for this one.

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Image quality, vignetting, flare, and distortion test results are now available on the Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS Lens page.

Getting the comparisons started:

Compared to the Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens

Compared to the Canon RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM Lens

Compared to the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports Lens

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